For Tim Mahoney, the Omaha-born lead guitarist of 311, his trip through Columbia will give him a refreshing perspective on why he’s in the rock-star business.
“I always love to play in the Midwest in general because they like to hear the music,” he says. Mahoney knows the power of an appreciative audience — it’s one of the key ingredients in his band’s live show. “The energy we get from the crowd, we use that and then put it back out and it just keeps amplifying.”
On Wednesday, Mahoney and his four bandmates, guitarist/singer Nick Hexum, bassist P-Nut, drummer Chad Sexton and lead singer SA Martinez return to the land most of the group still calls home — the Midwest — to perform at the Amphitheater at Mizzou. The band is headlining a show that will also feature Unwritten Law, Papa Roach and Reel Big Fish.
The rap-rock quintet began building an underground following with its early ’90s albums Music and Grassroots and began a non-stop touring schedule. The group attracted mainstream attention with its triple-platinum, self-titled release in 1995 and has since released four studio albums and a live disc. Four of the band’s albums cracked the Top 10 on the Billboard Top-200 Chart and it has even racked up two number one hits. All the while the band has stayed true to its reggae-inspired sound. 311’s summer tour is to support Don’t Tread on Me, its eighth and latest studio album.
“There’s the same sort of ingredients, but the record is unique to itself,” Mahoney says. “It doesn’t necessarily sound like any of our other records. Every time we record a record, it’s a good representation of where we are at as a band.”
The album’s first single, also titled “Don’t Tread on Me,” shouldn’t be lightly interpreted. “It’s a political commentary and also personal commentary as far as how we stand as a band,” Mahoney says, adding, “It also means don’t f--- with me.”
The guys in 311 have been writing songs since they shared a three-bedroom house upon moving to Los Angeles 15 years ago. Mahoney credits their longevity to their tight bond and love of music. “The Grateful Dead have been doing it for 40 years, and that’s a good inspiration for us,” he says.
Mahoney is still amazed by the songs created by his band’s two main songwriters, Hexum and Martinez. “We still enjoy making music together,” he says. “All we’ve wanted to do our whole lives is play music and be able to earn a living. We just trip out on that.”
In Columbia, 311 superfans like Jessica Vaugier, 22, will be welcoming the band back to her hometown with open arms. A fan since she was a fourth-grader, Vaugier has a tattoo of the band’s logo on her left calf. She says that she has seen 311 in concert 36 times and plans to see the band Wednesday as well as in a few other cities around the country. The band’s hybrid sound and positive attitude appeal to her, as do their live performances, which Vaugier says give her an adrenaline rush. “Expect to have a really good time,” she says. “You’ll leave happy.”
“It’s a very high-energy, crowd-interactive type of event,” says Peter McDevitt, booking manager for The Blue Note. “They’re one of those bands that feeds off the energy of the crowd.” Mahoney describes playing live shows as therapy.
“Hopefully [our live show creates] a bunch of positive energy that gets flooded out in the universe to do some good somehow,” he says. He hopes the show will be a fun homecoming for the band and the audience.
I Want Your Six
Vox accosts performers and music fans with a very sharp pencil and forces them, under duress, to answer six questions.
This week's answers are from Tim Mahoney, guitarist for 311.
1. What is your favorite album?
Bob Marley, Kaya. I have a whole bunch, but that’s the first one that popped in my head.
2. Which album do you wish would spontaneously combust?
Does Lindsay Lohan have an album out? No, I shouldn’t say that because I haven’t heard it. I can’t think of anything that I really hate. All the stuff I listen to I like.
3. What’s the best live show you have ever seen?
Jerry Garcia Band, but I forget what year is was.
4. What is your favorite make-out album?
How about Al Green’s Greatest Hits? No, can I change it to The Meters? They’re a little bit more upbeat.
5. What band is so last year?
I don’t want to say anything negative against anyone.
6. Build your dream band.
Danny Carey from Tool on drums, Bob Marley on vocals, Jaco Pastorius on bass, Jerry Garcia on guitar and Gregg Allman on keyboards.
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